u2 and Queen

can someone shed some light on the Queen vs. U2 or Freddie vs. Bono situation. Whenever i hear people on QZ talking about Queen and u2 its pretty negative or something. Is it just a matter of those people's opinions or was something said a while back

People just have their opinions. Occasionally some not-too-bright spark tries to extrapolate mutual antagonism between the relevant subjects.

U2 are nice songwriters, but only average performers (except Bono). The Edge is for me much more a sound engineer (or something like than) than a guitarist.

I like U2, because I like music to have a minimum amount of brain. That's why I also like Iron Maiden. But U2 can do wrong. I so don't want to listen to a lot of their songs because they're plain boring. Most of these songs are on ATYCLB and Passengers. But Achtung Baby is still one of the best records they made.

Now did U2 and Queen have any relationship? The closest you get to it is maybe http://www.brianmay.com/brian/brianssb/brianssbjan07.html#09 where Brian says that he's proud to be in a U2 video, even if it's sort of home made or whatever.
What Freddie thought about Bono, I don't know, I'm sure he took notice of U2 around 87/88 when they got big, but I can't imagine he particularly cared.

U2 in return might surely drop the average statement about Queen being a great influence and great musicians and blabla, if you seriously asked them in an interview.

Jan

I think the person is referring to the time Freddie kicked Bono's ass backstage at LIVE AID...

Myth, I'm sure. Freddie had a good time meeting Elton, George Michael, Bowie and others when they weren't able to go straight back home after the show. Why would he bother pinning Bono against the wall. They had minor popularity back then with War and The Unforgettable Fire. They spent most of their Live Aid set playing Bad which went on forever...I absolutely can't imagine Freddie even noticing him much. An Irish band being political and religious with their music, waving white flags and whatnot. He liked Prince and Aretha Franklin etc...
I'm 99% sure it is indeed a myth.

Jan

I really like u2. but i must say i prefer that activist sociopolitical rock from the begining.
u2 are great. in my opinion the were the follow up of queen in international sucess. But hey!!!! it's just an opinion!!!

And Freddie shared a mic with Bono and Geldof on Live Aid finale, then with Bono and Sir Paul some seconds later...

According to Bono in the recently released "U2 By U2" book, Feddie baled Bono up backstage at Live Aid & asked him how "Bono" was pronounced & made some comment about how he thought that all the newer singers at that time just shouted but Bono could sing alright, or at least something like that. Bono also thought Freddie was way campy.

I like U2 alot & think they put on an awesome live show. The music is mostly good & i have alot of respect for their beliefs.

By the way, don't go knocking Bono until you have read the book "Bono On Bono" by Michka Assayas!

[QUOTE][QUOTENAME]junketerQ2 wrote: [/QUOTENAME]According to Bono in the recently released "U2 By U2" book, Feddie baled Bono up backstage at Live Aid & asked him how "Bono" was pronounced & made some comment about how he thought that all the newer singers at that time just shouted but Bono could sing alright, or at least something like that. Bono also thought Freddie was way campy.

I like U2 alot & think they put on an awesome live show. The music is mostly good & i have alot of respect for their beliefs.

By the way, don't go knocking Bono until you have read the book "Bono On Bono" by Michka Assayas![/QUOTE]

I aint knocking on him,,, but whats so good about the book?

Let's not forget that U2 sent flowers when Freddie passed away.

Also, when U2 was touring in support of the Joshua Tree, Roger claimed that U2 was his "favorite band . . . at the moment."

I've never seen Freddie quoted concerning U2. I bet he WOULD have said something like, "They have their audience and have been very successful, but that's not what we do, my dear."

Queen and U2 have very different artistic styles. Queen had brilliant musicianship and loved to show it off, with a wink and a nod. U2's music is more personal, earnest and from the heart, with wonderful lyrics. I think even the very defensive Brian May would admit that Queen's lyrics don't measure up.

Funny thing is though, their careers have had parallel paths. Their four-member lineups never changed since recording studio albums; their live albums were kind of slagged (Live Killers and Rattle and Hum) - undeservedly IMO; their biggest hit albums (The Game and Achtung Baby) were followed by clunkers(Hot Space and Zooropa/Pop); and they both played it relatively safe ever since those clunkers.

I don't know if you want to restrict this thread to the Freddie Mercury era, but Bono and The Edge took part in 46664 South Africa, where Bono even sung "Amandla", a Queen+Dave Stewart song.

Cheers,

Ogre-

ya u2 used we will rock you on one of their tours. they dont hate eachother, but its obvious they have different styles.

personally i think u2 are what queen would have been today (staying together for 30yrs and still big!)

u2 songs are great, but would i listen to a whole u2 album - NO. Their individual songs are great but overall they sound roughly the same. i guess thats why i like queen - they're diverse.

the only song i like by u2 is probaly the saints are coming they did with green day.